Comparative multi-species analysis of potassium cyanide toxicity

Potassium cyanide (KCN), a highly water soluble and bioaccumulative cyanide salt, is examined to determine the toxic effects by using two green algae (Dunaliella viridis, Nannochloropsis oculata) and genetically different two sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus, Arbacia lixula) species. To determine the toxic effects on the early developmental stages of sea urchin embryos, 72-hour embryotoxicity studies were conducted. Potassium cyanide toxicity at cellular level was also investigated and 6-hour embryos of both sea urchin species were used to determine genotoxic effects of KCN. Since plutei naturally feed on microalgae, two species of plankton were used to reveal phytotoxic effects of KCN. KCN was found to be embryo- geno- and phytotoxic. EC50's for P. lividus and A. lixula were found 7.96 and 6.52 μM. IC50's for N. oculata for 48 h and 72 h were found 23.66 and 80.45 μM. IC50's for D. viridis for 48 h and 72 h were found 14.31 and 23.36 μM.